Page:An Historical Essay on the Livery Companies of London.djvu/22

 consisted of single subjects, and made but for one performance.

The government of the various Companies was by bye-laws or ordinances—the preserving of their trade secrets being a primary one, and continued their leading law so long as they remained actual "Working Companies," whence arose the names of "Mysteries and Crafts," by which they have been so many years designated. The officers generally consisted of the Alderman (subsequently named Master or Warden), Assistants, a Priest or Chaplain, a Clerk, a Beadle, and a Cook—the latter considered a most important officer in those days.

The Civic authorities exercised an undoubted control over the Companies. The Mayor could fine and imprison the Wardens of Companies at pleasure, and it was common to make presents, or, what in modern times would be called 'give a bribe' to the Mayor, in order to obtain favour during his year of Mayoralty.

In the 5th of Henry IV, the absolute control the Mayor had acquired over the Companies was remarkably exemplified in some proceedings which took place on a dispute between the Goldsmiths and the Cutlers; when the former having petitioned the King to confirm their right of search, granted by Edward III, and which they extended to the oversight of the Cutlers, the latter in a counter petition denied such right of oversight to reside anywhere but in the four wardens "de artifice de cotellerie." Both these petitions being considered by Parliament, it was directed "that a writ should be sent to the Mayor of London, and that he should be empowered, by authority of Parliament, to summon the folk of both the Goldsmiths and the Cutlers mysteries, who should produce their ancient evidences and usages on both sides before him, and which said Mayor should, if needful, certify the result, without delay, to the King in Council, in order that the King, on deliberation, and with the